Zaag, like jug with a lisp, Zaagkuil meaning "saw pit" from the Dutch translation, the pit that was built to facilitate the cutting of wood, i.e. each edge lying on the edges of the pit wherein the woodcutters stood and sawed away. Well, the wood remains in the form of acacia thorn bushes, but the woodcutters have long gone. The birds, though have remained.
Zaagkuildrift Road in the Limpopo Province, just north of Gauteng Province has to be a prime birding destination and a "must do" site for any and all birders finding themselves in this thicket of the woods. The road is a corrugated/ dirt/ sand/ stone road extending some 25 kilometres from the Rust De Winter turnoff on the N1 and ending at the village Kgomo Kgomo, the latter better known for its wetland bird species. The condition of the road is satisfactory, the birding excellent. Here follows the photos:
From the moment the dirt road begins, the birds appear. Crested barbets, go away birds, sparrows, waxbills, hornbills, crimson breasted shrikes and starlings; Burchells and glossys in their hundreds. I drove down the road in June 2011. I suspect that birding is even more rewarding during the spring and summer seasons. I would be wary though of the road conditions and the vehicle that I use in wet weather conditions. This area is known for its summer rainfalls.
Once one reaches the floodplains of the Kgomo Kgomo village, the sacred ibises, herons, egrets, cormorants and plovers make their presence felt.
Birding the Zaagkuildrift Road is akin to birding the Kruger National Park with the added advantage; bonus and privilege of being able to get out of one's vehicle and get close to the birds. The birds are abundant in number, species and in sheer beauty. This site has to be the best kept secret.
The white shouldered kite is abundant amongst the raptor population species. The purple roller is disciplined enough to allow you to take as many photos of it as your heart desires and your memory card permits. The local farmers and their workers pass you by with warm greetings and speed away in the dust clouds that they create on the dry dirt road.
There is absolutely no hesitation to turn the car around and redo the route once one has had one's fill of the birds at Kgomo Kgomo. The most compelling reasons for birding Zaagkuildrift Road has to be the safety and security factors, the peace and tranquility and above all the abundance of birdlife in this area.
Please respect the copyright that covers all material used in this blog.
Zaagkuildrift Road in the Limpopo Province, just north of Gauteng Province has to be a prime birding destination and a "must do" site for any and all birders finding themselves in this thicket of the woods. The road is a corrugated/ dirt/ sand/ stone road extending some 25 kilometres from the Rust De Winter turnoff on the N1 and ending at the village Kgomo Kgomo, the latter better known for its wetland bird species. The condition of the road is satisfactory, the birding excellent. Here follows the photos:
From the moment the dirt road begins, the birds appear. Crested barbets, go away birds, sparrows, waxbills, hornbills, crimson breasted shrikes and starlings; Burchells and glossys in their hundreds. I drove down the road in June 2011. I suspect that birding is even more rewarding during the spring and summer seasons. I would be wary though of the road conditions and the vehicle that I use in wet weather conditions. This area is known for its summer rainfalls.
Once one reaches the floodplains of the Kgomo Kgomo village, the sacred ibises, herons, egrets, cormorants and plovers make their presence felt.
Birding the Zaagkuildrift Road is akin to birding the Kruger National Park with the added advantage; bonus and privilege of being able to get out of one's vehicle and get close to the birds. The birds are abundant in number, species and in sheer beauty. This site has to be the best kept secret.
The white shouldered kite is abundant amongst the raptor population species. The purple roller is disciplined enough to allow you to take as many photos of it as your heart desires and your memory card permits. The local farmers and their workers pass you by with warm greetings and speed away in the dust clouds that they create on the dry dirt road.
There is absolutely no hesitation to turn the car around and redo the route once one has had one's fill of the birds at Kgomo Kgomo. The most compelling reasons for birding Zaagkuildrift Road has to be the safety and security factors, the peace and tranquility and above all the abundance of birdlife in this area.
Please respect the copyright that covers all material used in this blog.
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